Mechanical pencil



June 2l, 1932.' P. BARBERON MECHANICAL PENCIL 1926 5 sneetsfsheex 1Filed June 22 June 2:1-, 1932.

P. BARBERON MECHANICAL PENCIL Filed 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Flr.

June 21, 1932. P. BARBERON A MECHANICAL PENCIL 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 FiledJune 22, 1926 l Imre/z O11 Patented June 2l, 1932 UNITED STATES PATENTOFFICE i PIBBE BABBERON, F LE FAYET, FRANCE, ASSIGNOR TO PENCILMECHANISM 00B- `IORHBJIIOFI', 0F NEW Y'OBX, N. Y., A CORPORATIONl 0F NEWYORK MECHANICAL PENCIL Application led June 22,\`1926, Serial No.117,770, and in France .Tune 24, 1925.

The present invention relates to mechan. ical pencils of the class inwhich the length of the lead point protruding outside the casing is atwill regulated by the actuation of an appropriate head.

An obJect of thev invention is to provide Aamechanical. pencil which maybe readily pencil means for imparting to the lead in-` ward or outwardmovements. 0

Another object is to provide a mechamcal pencil, wherein the rotation ona longitudinal axis of one of a pair of exteriorly accessible memberswith respect to the other will result in propelling a strip of leadoutwardly from the tip of the pencil when the rotation is in onedirection and in movingthe lead`inwardly when the rotation is in theother direction.

Other objects of the invention will in part be obvious and will in partappear hereinafter.

The invention accordingly comprises an article of manufacture possessingthe features, properties, and the relation of elements which will beexemplified in the ar' ticle hereinafter described and the scope of theapplication of which will be indicated in the claims. l

Among the features of the invention are the provision of a pencilwherein a substantially centrally guided lead is longitudinally movableby means of a .device toothed, or otherwise appropriately shaped to gripthe lead, said device being mounted for rotationv within the pencil;this device consisting pref.- eraoly of a long pinion mountedtransversely to the lead, or of a worm gearing mounted parallel thereto.The pinion may be driven by a gear wheel rim with a central bore for thepassage of the lead, which rim is carried by a tube mounted4 forrotation inside the pencil.

In one of the exemplified forms of the invention the said'device'consists' of a pinion mounted for rotation within the pencil, thetoothing of the pinion extending tangentially to the lead, that is, insuch way that the lead will be moved by a slight gripping action exertedby the teeth. The pinlon is driven by the movement of an innertubeprovided at its outer end with a control cap or head while its innerend preferably acts as a guide for the lead above the pinion. The pinionmay also be driven by a ratchet wheel actuated by means of a pawl and aspring. The pawl may be mounted upon a part having an alternating backand forth movement within the holder and lengthwise thereto. This partmay, if desired, either foi m one integral part with the inner tube,which, in this case would be mounted for lengthwise movement within theholder, or it may be se arate from the inner tube and be actuate by therotary movement of the latter.

When using a worm gear drive the operation may be eifected bydisplacement of the tube inside the holder; when this tube is mountedfor rotation the operation may be effected' by means of a small pinionmounted a rotatable inner tube actuating a pinion by means of a toothedgear rim; Fig. l-is a oentral section; Fig. 2 a view and a partialcentral section taken at 90 to Fi 1;`Fig. 3 is a section `on line 3-3(Fig. 1

FiV 4, 5, a and 6 show embodiments in whic a pinion is driven by a pawland ratchet mechanism; Fig. 4 is a central sec-v tion of one form ofconstruction; Fig. 5 a

partial view taken at an angle of 90 to Fig. 4; Fig. 5* is a detail of amodified con struction; and Fi 6 a artial view of a further modifiedorm. igs. 6 and 6b are details of certain of the parts shown in Fig. 6.

Figs. 7 and 8 show an embodiment with bevel gear (Fig. 7) or with spurgeardrive (Fig. 8) arranged between a worm gear and a toothed gear rimof an actuating tube.

Fig. 8a is a partly sectional view of a form of construction similar tothat shown in Fig. -7 but having a plurality of worms;

Figs. 9 to 12 show a further modified embodilnent; Fig. 9 is a centralsection through the pencil; Fig. a section on line 10-10 (Fig. 9) andFig. 11 a section on line 11--11 (Fig. 9,). i

The pencil shown in Figs. 1 to 3 comprises an outer shell or casing 1and a tubular part 2 fitting tightly withinand rigidly held by theshell. This tubular part2 is connected to a smaller lead guiding tube 2by a disc 2. The shaftf of a long pinion 6 is carried in bearings in thewall of the tube 2;

the disposition of this pinion being such that its toothing extendstangentially of the lead 4 in the pencil and the teeth of the pin.- ionlightly grip the same so that the rotation of the pinion will cause thelead to move either forwardly (in a downward direction) \or rearwardly(in an upward direction).

Inside the tube 2 there is provided a third Vtube 7 the `upper screwthreaded part of which, extending outside the tubes 1 and'2, carriesupon its outer end a cap or head 8 by means of which-the tube 7 can berotated in the tube 2. This head is connected to the outer shell 1 by ascrew 9 threadedly inserted through a flange on the head and extendinginto a groove 10 provided in the outer shell. .The lower end ofthe innertube7 carries a part 11, the lower face of which, forming a toothed gearrim12, is adapted to engage the pinion 3 in such manner that a rotarymovement of the head 8 will rotate vsaid pinion and thus determinethedisplacement of the lead in respect of the point of the holder.

The tube 7 is also used as a receptacle fory spare leads 4. Thisreceptacle becomes accessible b unscrewing the screw 9, withdrawingvt etube 7 from the holder and unv screwin the head 8. The member 11,forming the ttom part of the receptacle is provided'with a central borewith a diameter which isl but slightly greater than that of the lead sothat thelatter will be guided thereby and held in engagement with thevpinion 6. Thevupper part of themember 11 ,Y is funnel shaped.- Afterbeing partially used, the upper end of the writing lead -4 the inventionin which the lead-propelling pinion isactuated through the medium of apawl and ratchet mechanism. In the form of construction here exemplifiedthe outer shell or casing 1a is formed near'its upper end with alongitudinal slot 10a instead of' ,o

with an annular groove such as 10. The flange on the head 8 extendsdownwardl a greater distance than in the construction shown in Fig. land carries the screw 9 'at a point adjacent the lower end of the flangeso as to leave a space between the upper end A of the shell and thelower surface of the head.

This construction permits the inner tube 7a which is attached to thehead to be moved longitudinally instead of being rotated. A

- ratchet wheel 13 is mounted upon the lead# propelling pinion 6, andthe innervtube 7 which is disposedffor longitudinal sliding l -ratchetwheel 13. Thus'the straight pawl 14 shown in Fig. 5 would, when lowered,exert a pressure against the rathet wheel 13, while the bentvpawl'14,shown in Fig. 5, during its ascending movement, would turn the ratchet`wheelin the opposite direction.- Thevinner tube, instead of carrying theratchet directly, may also be built to act upon an intermediary part asshown in Fig. 6. In

Vthis exemplification', the outer shell 1 is formed with anannulargroove 10` (as in Fig.

l) in which the screw 9 carried by the head 8b fits, so thatthe head andits attached in- A peet toa ner tube 7 b may be rotated with res tubularpart 2b which is fixed in the shell. The inner t be 7b carries in itslower end a funnel-shape member formed, like the member 11 with acentral lead-guiding bore; and with a downwardly projecting conicalportion 39. In this case a part 16, held by a l spring 40 in an upwardposition and carryingv the pawl 14, is mounted for longitudinal slidingmoveme'nt within`the tube 2b, which j in the present instance, isprovided with a lon,- gitudinal slot 41 into which there projects a pin42 carried by the part 16. The tube 7,

mounted for rotation within the tube 2", by

its rotary movement imparts a slight alternating longitudinal motion tothe part 16 due to the engagement of the briar teeth 18 andz 19 of thetwo parts 1-7 and-16. While turning the tube 7 by means of the head 8"the part 16 is lowered at leach tooth space .for a certain distancecorresponding to the length ofone tooth.

g .H1 P y izo Fig. 7 shows another` embodiment lof thefq. f' inventionin which the shaft 520i" the .pro

pelling means for the lead 4 is lodged above the bottom parts 2 and 2 ofthe tube 2. In this case the propulsion of the lead 4 is effected bymeans of a worm 6 which bears with a light pressure against the lead andthus moves the same longitudinally when the worm is rotated. The worm isdriven by a small pinion p mounted upon the shaft 56. The pinion p mayengage either directly teeth provided upon the actuating tube, oor thoseof the funnel shaped portion of the tube. Bevel ears are provided on theinner surface o? the rim 120 of the funnel-shaped member 110 on the tube7c and on the pinion p. Fig. 8 shows a similar arrangement with spurgearing on the pinion p and the rim 12.

In order to obtain a tight grip of the Worm 6c upon the lead .hvithoutexerting uncompensated lateral` pressure upon the lead such as mightforce the lead to one side asimilar worm may be provided diametrallyopposite the irst worm which is adapted; to exert a similar pressureagainst the lead but from the opposite side thereof. The lead is thusheld between two coacting Worms actuated by a common gearrim. Such anarrangement is shown in Fig. 8, the construetion being similar in allrespects to the construction shown in Fig. 7, except that there areprovided two worms 6c, each equipped with a pinion p meshing with thegear rim 120.-

The actuatin tube may, if desired, also Y f be adapted to escribe alongitudinal movement, in 'which case the connection of this tube withthe propelling worin maybe realized by any appropriate mechanical means.

Fig. 9 to 12 show this disposition. The

inner tube 7d, carrying thefunnel shaped part 11d and the gear rim 1 2dwhich engages the pinion p of the worm 6d does not. extend upwardlyint-o the head of the pencil. The head 8d, which in this case is notutilized for actuatingl the device,- is stationary. The device isactuated by means of a longitudinally slidable tube 20 which also servesas a guide for the lead and protrudes beyond the end .of the outer-shell1 forming the point 20 of the pencil. The tube-2O is rigidly.connectcdto twoparts 21 and 22 mounted for sliding movement in a tube 23. Thistube is frictionally held within the outer shell 1d of the pencil. Thepart 21 is guided by lugs` 26 adapted to slide within correspondinglongitudinal slots 24 provided in the tube 23. A worm 6d is mounted,between the parts 21 and 22. Thepinion p is mounted on the upper end ofthe worm shaft 25, and 'thel lower part 46 of the worni shaft is carriedby the part 21, while its upper part extends through a longitudinal slot27 provided in part 22.

pressure of the pinion against the gear rim` in the opposite direction(Fig. 9).

The upper edge of the tubular `body 7d is provided with saw teeth 28adapteli to engage the teeth 30 of another tubular body 29 disposedabove the former. The tubular part 29 is guided within the tube 23 bymeans of lugs adapted to be engaged within inclined or helicoidal slots32 provided in the tube 23 in such manner that the tubular part 29cannot be moved longitudinally without describing simultaneously acorresponding rotary movement. A spring 33 mounted in the upper ortionof the tube 23 acts against the tubu ar part 29.

rllhe operation is as follows:

- By-'pressing the point 20 against al table or any other object all ofthe associated parts, i. e. the tube 20 with the parts 21 and 22 and theworm 6, the part 11d and the tubular part 29, move upwards, compressinthe spring 33. The tubular part 29 describes a rotary movement, butbecause of the conformation of the teeth 28 and 30 the latter does notturn. As soon as the point is lifted from the table, all of the partsmove downwardly under the influence of the spring 33, and the tubularbody 29 turns in an opposite direction which motion is transmitted tothe part 11d by the teeth 28 and 30, the part 11d actuates the worm6d,'and the lead 4 is lowered a length corresponding approximately tosaid rotar movement if the slot 32 is, as exemplifie at an angle about45.

It is to be understood that the disposition of the various parts as well-as the details thereof may be widely varied without departing from theinvention.

Claims:

1. In a mechanical lead pencil, leadfguid- `ing means, a toothed leadpropelling element rotatably mounted within the body of the pencilandwengaging the lead tangentially,

and driving means for rotating said lead pro-4 pelling element, saiddriving means including a movable inner tube within the body of thepencil and transmission means between said inner tube and said leadpropelling element whereby the lead propelling element is rotated by themovement of said inner tube.

3. In a mechanical lead pencil, lead guiding tatably mounted within thebody of the pencil and engaging the lead tangentially, and

ineens, a toothed. lead propelling element rodriving means for rotatingsaid lead propelling element, said driving means including a pinionmounted within the body of the pencil and transmission means betweensaid pinion and said lead propelling element, whereby the leadpropelling element is actuated by said pinion. v 4

'4. In a mechanical lead pencil, in combination, lead guiding means, atoothed lead propelling element rotatably mounted within the body of thepencil and engagin the lead tangentially, and driving means or rotatingsaid lead propelling element, said driving means including an inner tuberotatably mounted within the body of the pencil, a toothed gearrimconnected to said inner tube l and a pinion mounted for engagement' withsaid ear rim. Y

5. n a mechanical lead pencil, in combination, lead guiding means, atoothed lead propelling element rotatably mounted within the body of thepencil and engaging the lead .tangentially, and driving means forrotating said lead -propelling element, said driving means including aninner tube slidably mounted within the body o f the encil, and a pawland ratchet device adapte to impart rotary movement of saidllead-propelling element in response to longitudinal sliding movement ofsaid inner.tube.

- 6.` A mechanical lead pencil, comprising an 'outer shell, an innertube rotatably mounted within said shell, exteriorly accessible meansfor imparting rotation to said inner tube, a toothed lead guiding partconnected to said inner tube and'having a funnel shaped upper portion, acentral bore in said toothed lead Aguiding -part,a1 1d a pinion drivenbyv said toothed art ,and engaging the lead tangentia y, said inner tubeforming a spare lead receptacle the`bottom portion oi which, formed bysaid funnel shaped art is adapted to direct toward said bore lea scontained in said receptacle.

7. .A mechanical lead pencil comprising a'n outer shell, an inner tubeslidably mounted within said shell, an exteriorly accessible elementadapted to impart longitudinal movement to said inner tube, a toothedlead guiding part connected to said inner tube and having a funnelshaped upper portion, a

central bore in said toothed lead iding part,

' and a pinion driven by said toot ed part and g the lead -tangentiallysaid inner t E blimi a spare llead receptiiclethe bottom part o which,formed by said funnel `shaped portion, is adapted to direct toward saidbore leadscontained `in said receptacle. 8. A mechanical lead Apencilcomprising an outer shell, a tubular part rictionally heldl therein andca duced diameter guiding the lead extending beyond the point of theholder, an inner tube rrying'a tubular part of re-- Vmounted in said'outer' shell, said inner tube formed toprovide a funnel shaped portiontoward its lower end, a gear provided on said inner tube at a pointbeneath said funnel shaped portion, a pinion adapted to be driven bysaid gear and mounted on the shaft of a of the pencil, means for guidingleads successively from said magazine to the lower end of the pencil,lead-feeding means within the casing and adapted to move a lead eitherdownwardly or upwardly at will, and means for operating said lead-movingmeans, the last-mentioned means comprising an operating member withinthe casing and an exteriorlyfaccessible element for actuating saidoperating member.

. 10. In a magazine pencil, a casing, means providing a lead magazine inthe upper end of the pencil, means for guiding leadssuccessively fromsaid magazine to the lower end of the pencil,v lead-feeding means within-the casing and adapted to move a lead either downwardly or upwardly,said means compr-ising a rotatable element adapted to engage the leadtangentially, and means for rotating said rotatablepelement in onedirection or in `the other at will, the last-mentioned means comprisinan operatin i member within the casing an an exterior y-accessibleelement for actua-ting said operating member.

11. In a magazine pencil, a casing, an inner tube movable with respectto said casingy means including said inner tube to provide a magazinefor lead strips, means mounted within said casing and operated by themovement of saidtube relative to said casing and arranged for constantengagement with a lead. sively from said magazine and for feedin thesame downwardly out of the casing, and exteriorily accessible means foractuating said inner tube.

` 12.- Ina magazine pencil, -a casing, an in ner tube rotatable with-respect to said casing, means including said inner tube to provi e amagazine for lead strips, means mounted within said casing and operatedby the rotation of said tube relative to said casing and arranged forconstant engagement with a lead for'withdrawing strips of leadsuccessively from said magazine and for feeding the same -downwardly outof the casing, and

or withdrawing strips of lead succesl'ce tube mounted for movementwithin said cas.

ing, means including said inner tube to provide a lead magazine in theupper part of the casin g, rotatable lead-propelling means Within thecasing and beneath -said magazine, means carried by said inner tube forrotating said propelling means, and exteriorly accessible means foractuating the last named means.

l5. In a magazine,pencil, a. casing, means providing a lead magazine inthe upper end of the pencil, means for guiding strips of leadsuccessively downwardly from said magazine, lead-feeding means mountedin the pencil within the casing at a point beneath said magazine andadapted to engage a lead tangentially and to be operated-2 to impartdownward movement to the lead, a member within said casing for operatingthe last mentioned means, and an exteriorly-accessible element foractuating said operating member.

16. In a mechanical lead pencil, a casing, rotatable lead-propellingmeans within the casing adapted to 'engage a lead( tangentially and whenrotated to .impart longitudinal movement to the lead, and means torotate said lead-propelling means, the last-mentioned means comprisingan operating member within the casing and aireXteriorlyaccessibleelement for actuating said operating member.

17. In a mechanical lead pencil, rotatable lead-propelling means adaptedto engage a lead tangentially and when rotated to impart longitudinalmovement to the lead, an exteriorly accessible actuating element, andmeans to impart rotation to said lead-propelling means in response tothe actuation of said exteriorly accessible element.

118. In a mechanical pencil, in combination, a casing, a head movablewith respect to said casing, 'rotatable lead-propelling means adapted to'engage tangentially a ead in a pencil and when rotated to impartlongitudinal movement to the lead, and means for rotating saidlead-propelling means in response to relative 'movement of said head andsaid casing.

19. In a mechanical pencil, in combination, a casing, a head rotatablewith respect to said casing, rotatable lead-propelling means adaptedtoengage tangentially a lead in'a `pencil and when rotated to impartlongitudinal movement to the lead, and meansfor rotating saidlead-propelling means in response to relative rotation of said head andsaid casing. 20.. In a mechanical pencil, in combination,

a casing, a head, a guiding recess in the outer (surface of an upperportion of said casing,

-means projecting from said head into said guiding recess for holdingthe head on the casing and permitting movement of the head with respectto the casing, a rotatable leadpropelling ,element within the casing andadapted to engage the lead tangentially, and

means for rotating said lead-propelling element in response'to themovement-osaid head relative to the casing.

21. In a mechanical pencil, an operating member, a rotatablelead-propelling element adapted to engage, the lead tangentially, and

means carried by said operating member for rotating said lead-propellingelement.

22. In a mechanical pencil, an operating member, a toothedlead-propelling element adapted to engage the lead tangentially, and

means carried by said operating member and adapted. to engage the teethof said lead-propelling element to impart rotation to the same.

23. In a mechanical pencil, a casing, an inner tube mounted for rotationwithin the same, a rotatable lead-propelling element adapted to engagethe lead tangentially, and means carried by said inner tube for rotatingsaid lead-propelling element in response to the rotation of said innertube.

24. In a mechanical pencil, an inner tube mounted for rotation -on alongitudinal axis, a le-ad-propelling element mounted for rotation on atransverse axis, and means carried by said inner tube for rotating saidleadpropelling element in response to the rotation of said inner tube.

25. In a mechanical lead pencil, lead-guiding means, a lead-propellingelement rotatably mounted within the body of the pencil and engagingthelead tangentially, and driving means for, rotating saidlead-propelling element, said driving means including an inner tuberotatably mounted within the body of the ncil, a toothed gear rimassociated with said inner tube. 4

26. In a magazine pencil, means providin a lead magazine at the upperend of the penci means for guiding leads successively from said magazineto the lower end of thegpencil lead-feeding means adapted to move a leadeither downwardly or upwardly at will, and means for operating saidlead-moving means, the last mentioned means including an exteriorlyaccessible element at t-he upper end of the pencil. i

27. In amagazine pencil, means providing a lead magazineI at the upperend of the pencil, means for guiding leads successively from saidmagaziiieto the lower end of the pencil, a lead-feeding element adaptedto move a lead either downwardly or upwardly at will, and a rotatableoperating element for imparting movement to, said lead-feeding element.28. In a mechanical pencil -comprising a lil , casing, in combination, alead-propelling ele`A operatmgmember.

ment within said casing and rotatable on a lon 'tudinal axis and adaptedto engage a lea tangentially and when rotated to import longitudinalmovement to the lead, and means to rotate said lead-propelling element,the last-mentioned means comprising an operating memberlwithin thecasing and an exteri'orl -accessible element for actuating said 29. In amechanical pencil comprising a casing, in combination, a worm within thecasing arranged to engage a lead in the pencil and to movethe samelongitudinally, and means to rotate said worm, the last-mentioned meanscomprising an operating member within the casing and anexteriorly-accessible element for actuating said operating member. 30.,In a mechanical pencil, in combination, atworm arranged to engage -alead in the pencil and to move the same longitudinally, an exteriorlyaccessible actuating element, and means to rotate said worm in res onseto the actuation of said exteriorly accessi le element. 31.' In amechanical. pencil, in combination, a rotatable lead-enga ing andV-propelling worm, a pinion carried thereby, a. rotatable operatingmember, said operating member being formed with teeth adapted to meshwith said pinion to rotate the same, an exteriorly accessible element,and means for importing rotation to said operating member in response tothe actuation ofsaid exteriorly accessible element. Y

32. In a mechanical pencil com rising a casing, in combination, a leadgui e tube, a

rotatable lead-propelling element within' said casing and extendingvthrough an opening in said guide tube and adapted t engage tangentiallya lead in the pencil, and means for rotatingsaid lead-propellingelement, the last mentioned means comprisin an 4 operating memberwithin' the casing an an exteriorlysaid operat- 33. In a mechanicalpencil com rising a casing, in combination, a lead gui e tube, a wormwithin' said casing and extendin through an openingin said ide tube-anadapted to engage tangential y a lead in the pencil, and means forrotating said worm, the last-mentioned means comprising an operatingmember within the casing and an exterirly-aocessible element foractuating said operatmg member.

34. In a mechanical pencil comprising a casing, in combination,arotatable leadpropelling element.- within the casing and adapted toengage a lead tangentially at a pluralityof points throughout aconsiderable portion ofthe length of the lead and when. rotated toimpart longitudinal. move# ment to the lead, and meanslto rotate saidwithin the casing and an exteriorly-accessible glement for actuatingsaid operating mem- 35. In a magazine pencil comprising a casing, incombination, means providing a. lead magazine in the upper end of thepencil, a lead-guiding tube for guiding a lead downwardly from saidmagazine, said tube being arranged for the reception of a rotatableleadprope ling element in the side thereof, a rotatable lead-propellingelement within the casing and adapted to engage tangentially a leadwithin said guide tube, and means to rotate said lead-propellingelement, the lastmentioned means comprising an' operating member withinthe casing and an exteriorlyaccessible element for actuating saidoperating member.

36. In a magazine pencil, in combination, a casing, means movablewithres ct to said casing and serving to provide a ead magazine in the upperend of the pencil, a worm adapted to engage a lead falling from saidmagazine and to move the same downwardly through and out ofthe pencil,and means including said movable means for rotatingfsaid worm.

37. In a mechanical pencil, in combination a casing, a longitudinallymovable lead guide tube, a rotatable lead-propelling ele.-

ment adapted to engage tangentially a lead in the pencil, and means'forrotating said lead-pro ellingv element in response to the longitudinalmovement of said guide tube.

38. In a mechanical pencil, in combination, a casing, a member extendindownwardl through the lower en d of t ecasing an ward pressure exertedon an upper part of the pencil, a rotatable lead-propelling'elamentladapted to engage tangentially a lead in the ncil, and means to rotatesaid leadprope mgelement in 'responseto longitudiladapted to be movedlongitudinally by downics nal movement of said downwardly extendingmember.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand.

PIERRE BARBERoa lead-propelling element, the last-mentioned `meanscomprising an operating member y y

